Dr. Hoffman trained at the Oregon Oriental College of Medicine under the leading physicians of China, including Dr. Shizeng Yang, qigong therapist to the People's Republic of China Olympic Gymnastic team; and Dr. Gouhui Lui, author of TCM classics and male genito-urinary disorders including male infertility. While pursuing his studies, Shane was named to the national AIDS Activist Circle for his work in designing, creating and implementing an education, advocacy and peer support program for people living with HIV.

In Portland, Dr. Hoffman was part of the clinic team at The Institute for Traditional Medicine (ITM). The Institute is well known for its innovative work in developing protocols to apply Traditional Chinese Medicine to modern health issues such as HIV, CFS, MS, breast cancer, hepatitis, chronic pain and menopause. Shane also maintained a private practice in Oregon, treating everything from acne and allergies to shingles and tinnitus, with particular focus on athletic and performing arts related health. Since Dr. Hoffman joined Turning Point, over 16 years ago, he has taken doctoral specialty training with a double concentration in gynecology and geriatrics.

Having studied and practiced various traditions of Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Iyengar yoga and meditation for the past 25 years, Dr. Hoffman's work is deeply informed by these healing disciplines. Dr. Hofffman is board certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and licensed to practice by New York State.

Theresa Palazzo, M.S., LAc

Theresa Palazzo found her way to Traditional Chinese Medicine by way of a dance injury and a dissatisfying career. Her initial course of acupuncture treatment resolved both these issues - soon after, she committed to a four-year program to become an acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist herself. Theresa received her Masters Degree of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) at Pacific College in New York City. Theresa initially dedicated her practice to treating athletes and performers during and after injury, she believes that everyone can benefit from this medicine, whether as preventative care for well-being, the treatment of pain syndromes, or as complementary care during the treatment of disease.

In addition, Theresa also practices the Mei Zen system of cosmetic acupuncture - an elegant treatment protocol based entirely on classical Chinese medicine - which allows for individualized treatments that address aging gracefully, while bringing vitality to the appearance of the face and neck.

Theresa is licensed to practice in New York and Connecticut and is a Board Certified Chinese Herbalist by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).

Mike found acupuncture and Chinese Medicine after a 20-year career in allopathic medicine seeking to improve care of his senior parents and their friends. As a member of the Comprehensive HIV Care Center of St. Vincent's Hospital in Greenwich Village, he witnessed first-hand both the life-saving potential (of) as well as the incentives to over-prescribe powerful and pricey pharmaceuticals. His SVH team's research has been published in major medical journals and presented at conferences in six of the seven continents. As an activist and community organizer, he has been arrested in protests at the White House, the FDA, the NIH, New York´s City Hall, and at a kiss-in on Broadway and 99th Street. In 2005, inspired by the writings of Marcia Angell (former NEJM editor and Harvard professor of medicine) and Merrill Goozner (former director of the Integrity in Science project at the Center for Science in the Public Interest), he founded a non-profit watch dog group which advocated for greater transparency in the flow of money between drug companies and doctors and disease advocacy groups. After two years overseeing HIV clinics and lay caregiver education programs in Uganda, Zambia and Malawi for two Los Angeles-based AIDS foundations, he returned to the U.S. to study Chinese medicine. More recently he has authored and presented Oriental medicine research as a member of the Society for Acupuncture Research, and he is a peer reviewer for the acupuncture journals The American Acupuncturist and Meridians. He studied Oriental medicine at Samra and Dongguk universities in Los Angeles and at Pacific College in New York.

Medical Qigong is also referred to as Chinese Energetic Medicine. It is one of the five branches of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Its theory penetrates and influences all the other branches, which are acupuncture, tuina (Chinese massage), food therapy, and herbal medicine.

According to Qigong theory, the Universe contains visible and invisible worlds. And the human body contains visible structures and invisible Qi. Qi includes energy and invisible matter.

Medical Qigong therapy holds that a person is environmental, relational, physical, mental, and spiritual. The treatment not only focuses on the health of the physical body, but also stresses the mental and spiritual health. It also considers other aspects of your life, such as the environment you live or work in and the social relationship that might affects your health. It is not only a therapeutic but also a preventative medicine.

In a medical Qigong treatment, the practitioner first makes diagnosis through asking your disease history, checking your tongue and pulse, and feeling your Qi to get an overall understanding of your condition. During the session, you might be guided through relaxation or guided imagery. The practitioner might touch certain points or areas of your body to regulate the Qi or her hands will be over those areas without touching them. Certain sounds and tones may be used to move the Qi. Talk therapy may also be incorporated. You may feel waves of energy, warmth or vibrations in the body. You may see different colors or auras. You may feel deep relaxation, enter a near-sleep state, or fall asleep. Each person’s experience is different. You may feel nothing during the treatment, but after the session you may have a general good feeling of well-being, and may be able to have a clearer vision about your life and find better solutions and directions. At the very end, the practitioner might teach you meditation or some Qigong movements as homework. Diet regulation and herbal supplements may also be suggested. This patient-centered treatment besides treating the illness, also facilitates you to be in charge of your own health so that you could maintain your health and prevent diseases.

Medical Qigong is also a wonderful introduction to experiencing the benefits of meditation, deep breathing, deep relaxation and self-healing practices.

Qigong Acupuncture

Medical Qigong can be incorporated with acupuncture therapy, which we call Qigong acupuncture. During a Qigong acupuncture session, the practitioner locates acupuncture point more precisely with Qigong feeling method. During the process of needle insertion, manipulation and withdrawal, the practitioner focuses on regulating the Qi, and the needle sensation you experience is usually more comfortable and profound. When you lie on the treatment table with needles retained for 15-30 minutes, the practitioner stay with you to do an extra Qigong treatment. Qigong acupuncture gives you the benefit of both acupuncture and medical Qigong. Besides your innate healing ability being stimulated and released through acupuncture, this healing ability will be magnified, assisted and elevated through medical Qigong therapy.

This has been a most amazing year chock full of firsts and goodness. In no particular order:

We got married. um and yeah, we're gay. Our state is the 6th to publicly affirm the right of people like us to receive the sanction of the state in love. That means 44 states don't. 12 states have actively prohibitive legislation against gay marriage. Oddly those states have no higher rate of single people. So it's not that those are swinger states still trying to promote free love.

So much goodness. After our

Michael went to his first Giants game. Thanks to Uncle Eric.

I got the best anniversary gift ever. The lovely Betty Buckley closed her show at Feinstein's the night of our attendance with my favorite song Corner of the Sky from Pippin, at Michael's sneaky and prior request. WOW.

Both of the best siblings ever now call Gotham home. Congrats to Lil on her Bac and moving along to her MPH. None will be surprised that she also got a great job in medical research at Bellevue hospital in the least likely economy. Spencer started the best job of his life here at Turning Point Acupuncture. Word around the office is he might be promoted soon. He's also learning firsthand the tyranny of the study of law and the injustice of transportation for large black dogs in Manhattan.

Dear Friends and Colleagues:It seems as if Mother nature has been a bit temperamental (pun intended) of late. We've seen everything from snowstorms to tornadoes of freezing rain. Such sharp variations in weather can also take an emotional toll, and we're not just talking about trying to decide which jacket to wear when you go outside. Let us know if you have any questions or would like additional information on how to embrace the seasons, keep your spirits up and qi balanced as we move forward. Winter is a challenging, yet special time, especially in the Northeast. It is an ideal time to reflect, rejoice and recommit in our dedication to self-care.

1. Cancer and Cancer TreatmentOver one and a half million people in the U.S. are diagnosed each year with some form of cancer. Western and Eastern understandings of cancer overlap in certain regards, and practitioners of both treatments often work together to the patient's benefit. Western PerspectiveCancer is defined by Western science as the abnormal growth. A group of cells gone rogue. It can be the result of a mutation in the genetic material (DNA). There are more than 100 types of cancer, and most are named for the organ or type of cell in which they begin. Western medicine has identified five broad categories of cancer: 1. Carcinoma, 2. Sarcoma, 3. Leukemia, 4. Lymphoma and Myeloma, and 5. Central Nervous System cancers. The most common risk factors for developing some type of cancer are advanced age, use of tobacco, excessive exposure to sunlight, abuse of alcohol, having a family history of cancer and exposure to hazardous chemicals. For every type of cancer there can be multiple potential causes and a myriad of treatment options. The most common treatment for cancer involves surgery to excise the growth, chemotherapy, radiation and a macrobiotic diet.

Eastern PerspectiveTraditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views cancers as a stasis, or extreme slowing and stoppage of the flow of substances in the body. These substances include qi, blood and phlegm and stasis of any of them can lead to the growth of tumors. Emotional stress, unhealthy eating habits, lack of exercise, environmental chemicals and those ingested are all key factors in the development of substance stasis in the different meridians and organ systems. Treatment for cancer in TCM commonly includes aggressive schedules of acupuncture and a regimen of individually prescribed Chinese herbs. Summary and StrategyWhen cancer is diagnosed, either by Western medical practice or TCM, it is important to take immediate, pro-active steps. In recent years, Western medicine has begun to embrace the benefits of TCM, particularly in helping to ease the side-effects of treatment. Acupuncture is widely recommended alongside chemotherapy in New York City's Mt. Sinai hospital, as it can lessen certain side-effects. TCM is proven to reduce nausea and fatigue, helping to maintain constitutional strength that it vital for the body to make the best use of the Western medicine treatment. After the initial diagnosis and treatment, regular check-ups and visits to a TCM practitioner can help monitor the cancer's remission. Alongside a healthy diet and lifestyle, these appointments can be important tools in cancer prevention.

2. Complimentary Treatment Focus: Medical QigongThis is the second in a series giving you the low-down on complimentary and alternative treatments available at Turning Point.

What Is It? Medical Qigong is also referred to as "Chinese Energetic Medicine." Patient-centered treatment sessions focus on assisting with the clear flow of qi through a number of techniques including relaxation imagery, talk therapy and light touch by the practitioner on target qi points.

Who Does It? Turning Point welcomes Yuxia Chiu as our new associate and Medical Qigong expert.

Why Should I Do It? Medical Qigong is another way to help find balance within and harmonize with your environment. This is a very gentle and patient-centered treatment, so it is ideal for those who wish to facilitate their own health and prevent illness.

How Much Does It Cost? Medical Qigong sessions are $120, when combined with an acupuncture session they are $160.

3. Practice Updates

Eriko Suzuki is leaving us on 1/31/11. She is moving back to Caliornia for nursing training. We are happy to have enjoyed the benefit of her skills and wish her all the best.

A warm welcome to our new medical Qigong practitioner, Yuxia Chiu!

Please check out our newly re-designed website! [www.turningpointacupuncture.com] We think it's pretty darn awesome and will be updating the content on a regular basis. Feel free to post a testimonial if you would like to share your Turning Point story with a prospective patient.

Thanks to everyone who weighed in on the Location Survey. After much careful thought and consideration, Turning Point will be staying in our current offices. We plan to undertake some improvements of the space in the near future and look forward to making it an even more welcoming and harmonious space.

For the first time in many years, we find it is necessary to raise our rates. Our office acupuncture rate is now $100 per treatment. New Patient visit is $200. Thanks for your continued support. We offer gift certificates for acupuncture, Reiki and massage - all wonderful ways to take care of yourself and your loved ones. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., call (212. 489. 5038) or visit our offices (1841 Broadway) to share a gift of healing.